Shell Picks Refining Chief to Become CEO

Ben van Beurden Will Succeed Retiring Peter Voser on Jan. 1

LONDON—Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Tuesday that Ben van Beurden, the current director of its refining and marketing operations, will become its chief executive on Jan. 1, succeeding retiring CEO Peter Voser.

The move came as a surprise to some observers of the energy company, who had expected the board to appoint Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry, or top executives from its high-earning exploration and production division, Marvin...